Iris: The Movie DVD (Cinema Asia Releasing)
RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2012
Cinema Asia Releasing presents Iris: The Movie on DVD. This feature is derived from the action-packed Korean TV series. Additional scenes were shot that expanded upon the original storyline, including an all-new extended ending. Iris: The Movie stars I Saw The Devil’s Byung-hun Lee and The Restless’ Kim Tae-hee. Check out the trailer.
Heartbeat DVD (Cinema Asia Releasing) Yun-jin Kim
RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2012
Cinema Asia Releasing presents the DVD for Yoon Jae-Keun’s thriller, Heartbeat. A woman finally has a heart donor lined up for her young daughter; however, the good news doesn’t exactly go as planned. Heartbeat stars Shiri and Lost star Yun-jin Kim and War of Arrows’ Hae-il Park. Check out the trailer.
Double Feature: Ninja Champion & Weapons Of Death DVD (Screen Magic Films)
RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2012
Screen Magic Films presents two “classics” in this martial arts Double Feature: The first is Ninja Champion, a Godfrey Ho cut ‘n paste flick that stars Richard Harrison, Bruce Baron and Pierre Tremblay. The second is Paul Kyriazi’s English language kung fu flick Weapons of Death, which stars Eric Lee and Gerald Okamura. Check out the trailers for Ninja Champion and Weapons of Death.
“Let the Bullets Fly” Chinese Theatrical Poster
Director: Jiang Wen
Cast: Jiang Wen, Chow Yun Fat, Ge You, Carina Lau Kar Ling, Hu Jun, Chen Kun, Liao Fan, Zhou Yun, Feng Xiaogang, Shao Bing, Bai Bing, Du Yiheng, Hu Ming, Jiang Wu, Ma Ke, Miao Pu, Wei Xiao, Yang Qiyu, Yao Lu
Running Time: 132 min.
By HKFanatic
“Let the Bullets Fly” became a breakout hit at the Chinese box office in 2010 and, just a week ago, earned Jiang Wen a Best Director trophy at the Hong Kong Film Critic’s Society Awards. While the film has clearly resounded with Chinese audiences, I have to wonder just how well this particular story travels overseas. This is a movie all about clever wordplay and subtle deceptions – a Western viewer is not only at the mercy of an English translation but how quickly they can process the subtitles whipping by at the bottom of the screen.
As a filmmaker, Jiang Wen isn’t afraid to juxtapose extreme violence with screwball comedy. The acting in “Let the Bullets Fly” is consistently dialed way, way over the top. Chow Yun Fat is given free reign to chew the scenery like a mid-90’s Al Pacino. The film’s visual style is extreme to match; the cinematography has that high contrast look that’s popular right now, with a color palette that often makes skin appear orange and hair resemble teal. Dialogue is shouted, facial expressions are manic. In this movie, bloody gunplay collides with a presentation of reality that is, well, hyper-real – and blatantly absurd. This is not a film for everyone.
In some ways, “Let the Bullets Fly” is a Chinese approximation of a spaghetti Western – we begin with the familiar motif of a train robbery and lead into the ‘mysterious stranger rides into a corrupt, flea-bit town.’ But unlike, say, “The Good, The Bad and the Weird,” this film favors comedic dialogue and visual humor over intensely choreographed action sequences. If you’re expecting this film to live up to its title with “A Better Tomorrow“-style setpieces, you’ll probably go home disappointed. Keep an open mind and you may find this to be one of the most original and vibrant Chinese-language films in years, depending on your taste.
Speaking of which, the film does suffer from questionable taste at times, particularly when the rape of a married woman is played for laughs in the following scene. And “Let the Bullets Fly” is arguably too long for its own good – twenty minutes could have been shaved off without losing anything, except a few scenes where the characters seem overly impressed with how clever they are.
Jiang Wen’s film has already proven a massive success overseas so its reception in other countries is perhaps besides the point. I’m not entirely sure if the story’s meaning has made the transition to North America intact, but fans of Chow Yun Fat and movies that trade in comedic ultra-violence should be mostly entertained. Hours after watching “Let the Bullets Fly,” I still wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. Low-budget computer effects and harsh lighting aside, I was admittedly impressed by the filmmaking technique behind this movie. No matter what, I’m glad we live in an age when a movie like this not only makes it past the Chinese censors, but proves to be a massive hit with audiences and earns a Western release.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 7/10
"Speed Angels" Chinese Teaser Poster
Speed Angels may not have been the best reviewed Chinese-language film of 2011, but when when you’ve got good-lookin’ ladies and fast cars who really needs critical acclaim? Certainly not commercial filmmaker Jingle Ma (Tokyo Raiders, Hot War), who wrote and directed the slick racer.
Straight-up cutie Tang Wei (Lust, Caution) is in the driver’s seat for this movie that’s all about the drama on and off the road for a bevy of female race car drivers. You can snag Speed Angels on Region A Blu-ray for only $21.15 or Region 3 DVD for $14.74, courtesy of trusted retailer DDDHouse. Tell them Cityonfire.com sent ya!
Father's Day Blu-ray & DVD (Troma Entertainment)
RELEASE DATE: June 12, 2012
Troma Entertainment presents Father’s Day on Blu-ray/DVD Combo. This “new” grindhouse flick revolves around the urban legend known as The Father’s Day Killer. Fangoria says it’s “Destined to become a midnight movie classic.” We’ll see. Check out the trailer.
"Dangerous Liaisons" Chinese Teaser Poster
This Thursday, April 19th, the Cannes Film Festival announces its official lineup for 2012. A few days later, the film selection at the independent Directors’ Fortnight will be revealed. Website Film Business Asia speculates whether the new curator, Edouard Waintrop, will showcase any Mainland Chinese films at the Directors’ Fortnight.
The article laments the fact that, in the past, the Cannes Film Festival has favored independent Chinese cinema to the exclusion of Mainland films that could have had a chance at winning acclaim, like Let the Bullets Fly or City of Life and Death.
Possible Chinese-language films to expect at the Director’s Fortnight include a host of titles previously covered at Cityonfire.com, such as Guns ‘N Roses, An Inaccurate Memoir, Painted Skin: The Resurrection, The Last Supper, and more. Stay tuned to this site for more information as the Cannes Film Festival draws closer.
UPDATE: Film Business Asia has the report that three Asian films will be shown at the Director’s Fortnight. They include: the Japanese adult animated film The King of Pigs; the Indian gangster revenge drama Gangs of Wasseypur; and the Chinese/Korean co-production of Dangerous Liaisons, starring Chinese starlet Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
Intruders Blu-ray & DVD (Millennium Entertainment)
RELEASE DATE: July 17, 2012
Millennium Entertainment presents the Blu-ray & DVD for Intruders. Though no one can see him, Hollow Face lurks in the corners, desperately desiring love but only knowing how to spread fear and hate. This psychological thriller is directed by 28 Weeks Later’s Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and stars Closer’s Clive Owen and Ella Purnell. Check out the trailer.
The Devil's Feast DVD (Switchblade Pictures)
RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2012
Switchblade Pictures presents the DVD for The Devil’s Feast. This erotic thriller is written by the late Oniroku Dan (Flower and Snake) and directed by Kenji Hanyu. The film stars Cruel Restaurant’s Chihiro Koganezaki, Zombie Hunter Rika’s Yuya Matsuura, Rinko 18’s Hitoshi Kajiki and AV model Arisa Matsumoto.
The Kunoichi DVD (Sentai Filmworks)
RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2012
Sentai Filmworks presents the DVD for The Kunoichi (which means female ninja). This bloody martial arts film is directed by Seiji Chiba (Alien Vs. Ninja) and stars Karate Girl’s Rina Takeda as the title female ninja character. Check out the trailer.
"Design of Death" Chinese Theatrical Poster
Design of Death looks to be one of the most difficult to categorize Chinese movies on the horizon. Billed as a dark and absurd comedy, the film is based off the novel by Chen Tiejun and chronicles what happens to a village outcast when he is trapped by his fellow townspeople in an elaborate death maze.
Over at Chinese Films, you can scope out the first trailer. Design of Death is slated to hit Chinese theaters on April 28, 2012.
Updates: A new trailer at Chinese Films. And enjoy the new poster.
BREAKING NEWS: New promotional posters at Chinese Films.
"Stash House" American Theatrical Poster
Dark Castle Entertainment’s foray into action cinema continues with Stash House, a new pulse-pounding thriller starring action icon Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, The Expendables).
Sean Faris of Never Back Down fame stars as a young husband who thinks he’s just bought his wife the perfect home – secluded, fortified, and safe inside a gated community. They discover only too late that a large stash of heroin has been sequestered away within the walls…and now a vicious drug cartel, led by Dolph Lundgren, is back for their product.
Stash House promises edge of your seat entertainment, with Dolph Lundgren relishing the chance to play an over-the-top bad guy once again. The full cast includes Dolph Lundgren, Sean Faris, Briana Evigan, and Jon Huertas. Stash House is written by Gary Spinelli and directed by Eduardo Rodriguez.
Watch the trailer here. Expect Stash House in limited theatrical release as part of After Dark’s first ever Action Fest, as well as available on Video on Demand, this May 11, 2012.
"Hotel69"
Beyond Hollywood has the scoop on a disturbing new movie out of China/Singapore, called Hotel69. Director Oman Dhaz’s film looks to trade in the ultra-transgressive territory of pictures like A Serbian Film and Human Centipede. The trailer features plenty of NSFW imagery and even has a quote from Aristotle.
Here’s the synopsis: “A psychopath pimp takes revenge on a man by luring him into a depraved brothel, where a sexual paradise hides his worst nightmare.” In other words, send the kids to bed before you queue this sucker up. Hotel69 is currently in post-production so there’s no word on a release date yet. We’ll keep you updated on the film’s status.
Let the Bullets Fly Blu-ray & DVD (Well Go USA)
April is winding down but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of Blu-ray and DVDs to get excited about. So let’s get cracking! Here are your Blu-ray and DVD releases for the week of 4/24/12:
ASIAN CINEMA
Let the Bullets Fly (Blu-ray/DVD) – Well Go USA presents this smash hit 2011 Chinese-language action-comedy starring Chow Yun Fat and director/actor Jiang Wen. Imagine an ultra-bloody Chinese homage to spaghetti Westerns and you’re halfway there
Shogun Assassin – 5 Film Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray) – AnimEigo presents five of the “Shogun Assassin” films – that’s the cut and dubbed version of the “Lone Wolf and Cub” series – in hi-def for the first time
Karate Girl (DVD) – ‘High Kick Girl’ Rina Takeda returns with this 2011 martial arts flick that’s largely considered altogether more polished and compelling than her debut film
Sword Masters: Duel of Fist (DVD) – Ti Lung stars in this vintage 1971 Shaw Brothers film, one of the first movies to explore Thai kickboxing
Sword Masters: Swordsman & Enchantress (DVD) – Ti Lung and Lily Li star in this 1978 sword-swinging Shaw Brothers classic
Dragon Dynasty Double Feature 1 (DVD) – in this Shaw Brothers two-pack, you receive the classic kung fu flicks “The Avenging Eagle” and “Blood Brothers”
Dragon Dynasty Double Feature 2 (DVD) – another Shaw Brothers two-pack, this time around you snag “Golden Swallow” and “Killer Clans”
FOREIGN CINEMA
The Organizer (Blu-ray/DVD) – the Criterion Collection offers this 1963 Italian-language film from director Mario Monicello
The Cave of the Yellow Dog (Blu-ray+DVD combo) – Palisades Tartan releases this 2005 film set in Western Mongolia that’s sure to tug on your family’s heartstrings
Ubaldo Terzani Horror Show (Blu-ray) – it feels like this release keeps getting delayed but the film is a 2010 homage to the giallo, or Italian horror genre, in hi-def from RaroVideo USA
Young Goethe in Love (DVD) – this 2010 German-language film depicts the tumultuous romantic life of the famous poet Johann Goethe
Scheherazade Tell Me a Story (DVD) – a 2009 Arabic-language film about contemporary gender politics in Egypt
Stronger than Blood (DVD) – a 2010 German-language film about brothers who deal in the drug trade to fund their dreams of owning an auto shop
Mad Race to Cote d’Azur (DVD) – Pathfinder Pictures offers this 1975 film co-starring my favorite Bond girl, Claudine Auger. The movie is billed as “an opera of tragic confusion”
Kahaani (DVD) – in this 2012 Bollywood picture, a pregnant woman (Vidya Balan) fears for her sanity when everyone around her tries to convince her that her husband doesn’t exist
MAINSTREAM
Contraband (Blu-ray/DVD) – Mark Wahlberg headlines this gritty 2011 crime flick based on the Icelandic film “Reykjavik to Rotterdam”
Badge 373 (Blu-ray) – Robert Duvall stars in this 1973 cop film in the vein of “Serpico” and “French Connection”
Lassiter (DVD) – Tom Selleck gets his Bond on playing a notorious jewel thief in this 1984 action-adventure, co-starring Bond girl Jane Seymour and Bob Hoskins
Dark Tide (Blu-ray/DVD) – Halle Berry goes direct-to-video to fight sharks and choppy waters in this 2012 aquatic thriller
CULT/INDIE
Hit! (Blu-ray/DVD) – Billy Dee Williams stars in this 1973 action flick as a federal agent taking down a vicious drug ring after his daughter dies of a heroin overdose
Some Days Are Better Than Others (Blu-ray/DVD) – Carrie Brownstein of “Portlandia” fame stars in this 2010 indie drama about thirty-something angst
Hellcats (DVD) – a 1968 B-movie about leather gals and biker gangs
Killer Nun (Blu-ray) – your friends at Blue Underground offer this gory 1978 Italian nuns’sploitation film on Blu-ray
Marquis De Sade’s Justine: Remastered Edition (Blu-ray/DVD) – the writing of Marquis de Sade comes to life in this 1977 film, remastered for Blu-ray by Redemption Films
Girl on a Motorcycle (Blu-ray) – this cult classic 1968 starring Alain Delon and Marianne Faithfull is brought to you in hi-def by Redemption Films
CLASSICS
The Red House (Blu-ray+DVD combo) – a vintage slice of Hollywood noir, this 1947 film stars genre heavy Edward G. Robinson
Camelot (Blu-ray) – the 1967 film of the hit Broadway musical, starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave, is brought to hi-def
The Jayhawkers (Blu-ray/DVD) – a 1959 Western starring Jeff Chandler and Fess Parker, now on Blu-ray
The Buccaneer (DVD) – Frederich March stars in a Cecil B. DeMille production with this 1938 tale of swashbuckling pirates
The Perils of Pauline (DVD) – VCI Entertainment releases the 1933 version of the adventurer serial “The Perils of Pauline,” although Amazon lists it as being the 1914 edition
HORROR
The Innkeeprs (Blu-ray/DVD) – Ti West’s critically acclaimed and festival favorite ghost flick, starring Sara Paxton, comes to home formats
The Wicker Tree (Blu-ray/DVD) – after all these years, someone did a sequel to “The Wicker Man.” Even though it’s from the director of the original and features Christopher Lee, this 2011 film seems to have divided fans
Daylight (DVD) – a 2011 grueling psychological thriller about a young couple who is kidnapped and held hostage by a hitchhiker
The Fields (DVD) – this 2011 horror film about a young boy investigating the haunted cornfields around his grandmother’s farm is supposedly based on a true story
11-11-11 (DVD) – a PG-13 horror film from some of the people behind the latter “Saw” movies. These kinds of Satanic apocalypse movies were fairly common during the late 90’s, when everyone was worried about Y2K
The Theatre Bizarre (DVD) – this 2011 horror anthology features a host of spooky stories, and it stars Udo Kier which is good enough for me
Interested in any of these movies? If so, we hope that you’ll consider ordering from our affiliate to help support this site. Thank you!
“In the Line of Duty 3” Chinese DVD Cover
Director: Arthur Wong
Co-director: Brandy Yuen
Cast: Cynthia Khan, Hiroshi Fujioka, Stuart Ong, Michiko Nishiwaki, Dick Wei, Paul Chun, Yueh Hua, Sandra Ng, Melvin Wong, Robin Shou, Stephan Berwick, Law Ching Ho, Chris Lee, Season Ma Si San, Bennett Pang, Mandy Chan, Stanley Fung, Richard Ng, Eric Tsang
Running Time: 83 min.
By HKFanatic
80’s action girl Cynthia Khan has long had the reputation of being a ‘replacement’ for Michelle Yeoh. After watching Khan in 1988’s “In the Line of Duty 3,” I have a newfound respect for this talented martial artist and actress. The truth is, she’s in nobody’s shadow.
Sure, Hong Kong movie studio D&B Group may have needed someone to fill Michelle Yeoh’s ass-kicking shoes after Yeoh married D&B head Dicksoon Poon and momentarily retired from acting in 1987. But Cynthia Khan proved she wasn’t in just a Yeoh stand-in with her very first outing for D&G, “In the Line of Duty 3.” Although I’m sure she was doubled in a few shots, Khan displays a tremendous amount of fighting ability in this film.
“In the Line of Duty 3” itself has always been overshadowed by the fourth installment in the series, seeing as how that one features “Ip Man” himself Donnie Yen in a starring role. Even so, anyone with an interest in vintage Hong Kong action would be wise to seek out Cynthia Khan’s debut. I dare say this film has just about anything a martial arts junkie could want.
The plot is your typical Eighties cop movie, with Cynthia Khan as a young police cadet who quickly kicks and punches her way up the ranks. The only problem is that her Uncle is the police captain and, in deference to Khan’s late mother, he loathes the idea of putting his niece in any danger. Khan has a way of attracting danger, however, and before long we’re introduced to two ruthless members of the Japanese Red Army who are in Hong Kong to buy arms. These two political terrorists, played by Stuart Ong and Michiko Nishiwaki, maintain a flagrant disregard for human life. In their opening scene, they perform a spectacular jewel heist in Tokyo where at least 80 civilians are mowed down by submachine gun fire.
“In the Line of Duty 3” is also one of those Eighties Hong Kong movies that’s all about the cultural clash between Hong Kong and Japan (much like Michelle Yeoh’s own “Royal Warriors”), so a Japanese cop played by Hiroshi Fujioka heads to Hong Kong on the trail of the Red Army. Fujioka is something like a Japanese Dirty Harry, and he continually butts heads with Khan and the local authorities. In the end, everyone has the same goal – to take down the Red Army – so cultural differences are set aside as the film builds to its final 20 minutes of blistering action.
This movie credits no less than five action directors and, surprisingly, the film actually lives up to the expectations set by having so many choreographers. The first act may be a bit light on hardcore action but “In the Line of Duty 3” manages to cram in a lot during its less-than-90 minute runtime, including several wince-inducing fight scenes and acrobatic shoot-outs.
The two stand-out match-ups include Hiroshi Fujioka and Stuart Ong’s clash in a shipping yard, which is as vicious a fight as I can remember seeing in some time. The viewer lierally gets the impression that these two men want to kill each other, and the stuntmen spare no injury in the way they hit the ground and one another. Later on, Cynthia Khan finally gets her bout against Michiko Nishiwaki, and while it’s a bit too brief for my tastes, it’s literally one of the best ‘woman on woman’ fight scenes in Hong Kong cinema. Again, the ferocity with which the two women attack each other is absolutely stunning. These are not your usual fights in which two skilled opponents respectfully test their martial arts abilities against each other – this is ‘kill or be killed.’
Inbetween all the action? “In the Lune of Duty 3” is almost intolerable. The scenes of comedy fall flat and Paul Chun, typically typecast as these police captain characters, becomes positively overbearing in the way he tries to shield Cynthia Khan from harm. Fortunately, the film has a nice sense of escalation and the third act consists of nothing but ultra-violence, even bringing the indomitable Dick Wei (“Dragons Forever“) into the fold.
“In the Line of Duty 3” is a shining example of why Hong Kong was the premiere destination for action movie fans during the 80’s and most of the 90’s. When it comes to the beloved ‘girls with guns genre,’ “She Shoots Straight” and “Yes Madam” may be better movies overall, but if you’ve already seen those then make “In the Line of Duty 3” next in your queue.
HKFanatic’s Rating: 8/10
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